Arretium

Arretium was a city of ancient Rome. The city was conquered by the Roman Republic in 311 BC, but the old Etruscan aristocracy flourished under Rome, and Arretium was ruled jointly by Etruscan nobles and the House of Julii, a major patrician family. By the time of the early Roman Empire under Augustus, Arretium was the third-largest city in the empire, and it became known for its pottery. From the 3rd to 4th centuries, it became the location of a bishopric, and the bishops became the rulers of the city. The old city of Arretium was demolished as a result of the Gothic War between the Byzatine Empire and Ostrogoths as well as the invasion of the Lombards later in the 6th century, and the stones from its buildings were taken in order to build new defensive fortifications. The only building in Arretium left standing was the amphitheatre, and the city of Arezzo would replace the old city.